As the Tim Buchanan stadium fills with fans, the Bearcat student council gathers on the sideline to prepare for a gift exchange with the opposing team’s student council.

Throughout high school is Texas, the well-known tradition offers good sportsmanship by presenting the opposing team with gifts at home football games, and the Bearcat student council members prioritizes the leadership and preparation that goes into it.

“We meet up when there is 20 [minutes] on the clock to walk across the field to meet the other STUCO,” junior Marley Parker said. “Once we make it across the field to the other team, we exchange gifts, take a group picture, and talk about the different activities they participate in at their school.”

Before the school year begins and football season is in full force, student council members pre-order all the gifts and make personalized letters to put into the gift baskets.

“Doing the exchanges is a cool thing that we get to be a part of between the other revival schools,” junior Allison Faulkner said. “Since I am a STUCO officer, I always try to be a good role model for everyone else and someone that can lead the other on how we want our STUCO to present ourselves.”

Being a part of this exchange gives students in STUCO more than just required hours, but also a better way to get involved with other schools and present kindness and good sportsmanship towards each opponent.

“By being a part of the exchanges, it really shows good sportsmanship and camaraderie to have good relationships with other schools,” junior Hayley Hill said. “This just makes us as a group appreciate the other school and the people who are also involved in student council.”